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Byrd was a well known supporter of conversion therapy, and authored more than 100 publications, including books, peer-reviewed scientific journals, law journals, book chapters, invited commentaries and opinion editorials, many of which addressed issues of human sexuality. In 2002, he presented a paper which describes a technique called gender-affirmative therapy. He stated: "The basic premise of gender-affirmative therapy is that social and emotional variables affect gender identity which, in turn, determines sexual orientation. The work of the therapist is to help people understand their gender development. Subsequently, such individuals are able to make choices that are consistent with their value system. The focus of therapy is to help clients fully develop their masculine or feminine identity".[6] He wrote several papers with Joseph Nicolosi. One of the largest was a survey of 882 people who were undergoing therapy, attending ex-gay groups or ex-gay conferences: 22.9% reported they had not undergone any changes, 42.7% reported some changes, and 34.3% reported much change in sexual orientation. As a group, they reported large reductions in homosexual thoughts and fantasies and improvements in their psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual well-being.[7] He promoted his ideas on college campuses,[8] in newspapers,[9] and in several books. He was called as a professional witness to testify on behalf of Andrew McClintock, a Christian magistrate who was forced to resign due to his beliefs on homosexual parents.[10][11] In 2007, he was asked to chair a symposium at the APA Convention in San Francisco.[12]

The LDS Church does not view homosexual attractions as sinful, but does teach its members to abstain from homosexual sex. It does not have an official view on the cause of homosexuality.[15] Byrd had been prominent in defending and explaining the church's position, as well as promoting his own views. He wrote four books aimed at LDS audiences and, in 1999, published When a Loved One Struggles with Same-Sex Attraction in the Ensign, an official magazine of the church.[16] It was the first article published in one of the church's magazines giving advice on how to love people with homosexual inclinations. He was a member of the Evergreen Board of Trustees, an ex-gay organization catering to Latter-day Saints.

Byrd gave presentations and wrote several articles for the Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research dealing with homosexuality.[17][18] He wrote critically of No More Goodbyes, written by LDS author Carol Lynn Pearson,[5] and In Quiet Desperation, a book about an LDS man's efforts to faithfully live the LDS religion while having same-sex attractions.[19] In turn, his critique was criticized by other Mormon counselors,[20] as well as by one of the book's authors, Ty Mansfield.[21]